RailRiders Insider

A note: There’s no question offense has been the prime reason the RailRiders were still at least on the periphery of playoff contention entering the weekend. There’s also no question it abandoned them at exactly the wrong time this week. Columbus pitcher Gabriel Arias shut the RailRiders out on Thursday, 7-0, the RailRiders’ third consecutive loss — a damning number with the wild-card leader Pawtucket slipping away. On Wednesday and Thursday, the potent RailRiders managed only one run, a prolonged slump that actually hadn’t hit them in more than two years. The last time the RailRiders scored just once in back-to-back nine-inning games came from Aug. 2-3, 2012 against Indianapolis.

A quote: “It’s always tough when you’re chasing runs and they have a guy who’s throwing strikes early in counts.” — RailRiders second baseman Rob Refsnyder, after the RailRiders were shut out by Columbus right-hander Gabriel Arias on Thursday night. The RailRiders went 24 2/3 innings without scoring a run from Tuesday until Friday.

A number: 12. That’s the number of strikes RailRiders right-hander Branden Pinder has thrown, in 15 pitches, since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 3. He has walked just two batters in 10 innings with the RailRiders this season.

Around the IL

News and notes from around the International League

■ Top Red Sox pitching prospect Henry Owens made his Triple-A debut a big one on Monday. The lefty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, then settled for allowing two hits and striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-0 win over Columbus.

■ It was a long time coming. When Buffalo took three games in a four-game set against Indianapolis last weekend, it marked the first time Buffalo won a series against the Indians since, get this, 2004. Indianapolis had won or tied 19 consecutive series against the Bisons.

■ Some history was made in Rochester on Sunday, when catcher Dan Rohlfing took the mound and actually recorded the save in a 15-inning 6-5 win over Louisville. He became the first position player ever to record a save in the long history of Rochester baseball.

Promotion of the week

T-Shirt Tuesday

Tuesday vs. Louisville

The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a free Bobblehead T-shirt as the RailRiders battle the Bats.

Q&A

Rehabbing RailRiders right-hander Michael Pineda became the first — and only — starting pitcher in Trolley Frogs history on Friday night. But what he did during the game is what mattered most. He discussed getting back to the big leagues in this week’s Q&A.

Q: This was such a great start to the season for you in the big leagues. Do you feel after Friday’s start you’re at the same level you were before the injury, or is there still some work to go before you get back to where you were at in April?

A: I’m feeling great. I’m feeling ready for pitching in New York. I always pitch normal. I want to go to the mound and work 100 percent. My changeup was good. My slider was good. Good command from my fastball. I feel ready to go.

Q: Are you surprised how good your stuff has been here, considering how long you were out?

A: Not surprised, because I am working hard every day. I’m trying to be better and better every day. I’m trying to watch the game and learn from the other guys. I always want to be better.

Q: What do you think has been the most important thing to look at as far as your performance in the two starts you’ve had here?

A: I like good velocity. But right now, I’m working to make sure my pitchers are where they need to be. I want to make sure my command is there. ... I’m working a little more aggressive on not throwing too many pitches, because I want to work the five innings. But everything was good. It was Michael Pineda pitching. So that was good.

Q: How excited are you to potentially be going back to New York and pitching in meaningful games?

A: It would be exciting to go back. The last couple years, there were a lot of injuries. It was a little hard. I don’t want to be injured anymore, but I don’t have control over that situation. ... It’s very exciting for me to go back, because I was so happy to start in that organization this year. The only thing I can control is keeping my head up and keep working hard. I just want to go back to pitching. That’s what I love. Pitching.

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